Manny Pacquiao, the 46-year-old former six-division world champion from the Philippines (62 wins, 39 KOs, 8 losses, 2 draws), is set to make his return to the ring. WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán revealed to the media that Pacquiao will challenge current WBC World Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios (USA), who holds a record of 29 wins (18 KOs), 2 losses, and 1 draw.
The bout is scheduled to headline a Premier Boxing Champions event on either July 19 (July 20 Japan time) or July 26 (July 27 Japan time), with the venue expected to be either Las Vegas, Nevada or San Antonio, Texas. The fight will be broadcast free on Amazon Prime Video.
Talks of Pacquiao returning to the ring and challenging for Barrios’s title have been circulating since last year, and recently, the matchup has once again gained serious traction.
In August 2021, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao challenged Yordenis Ugas (Cuba) for the WBA Super World Welterweight Title, but lost by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. Following that bout, Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing. However, in September of last year, it was revealed that negotiations for a fight between Pacquiao and Mario Barrios were underway in Las Vegas. WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán had already approved it as a title bout.
Pacquiao stated, “I made history at age 40 by defeating Keith Thurman. Now at 45, I want to make history again,” showing strong motivation. Barrios, who accepted the challenge, also expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Pacquiao has been someone I’ve admired since I was a child. He’s a future Hall of Famer and a legend. Sharing the ring with him is an honor and a dream come true. I’m very excited.”
Last year, after the planned fight with Pacquiao fell through, Barrios defended his title on November 15 (November 16 Japan time) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, against the No. 8 ranked Abel Ramos (USA), who had a record of 28 wins (22 KOs), 6 losses, and 3 draws. Despite being the heavy favorite, Barrios was involved in a back-and-forth battle with knockdowns on both sides and ultimately fought to a draw after 12 rounds. He has not returned to the ring since.
Will the 46-year-old Pacquiao’s comeback and immediate world title challenge truly materialize? All eyes are on what comes next.
Even though the WBC President has confirmed it, will Pacquiao’s return to the ring and immediate world title challenge really come to fruition?
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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